200 SHAMEFUL MPs IN KENYAN PARLIAMENT.

kenyan parliament

NAIROBI: The spotlight has turned on at least 200 MPs who have neither filed a Bill nor a Motion in the august House for a full year, yet many of them were elected to do just that — make laws and represent their people in Parliament.
The county47watch
 has reviewed parliamentary records which show that even though the majority of MPs participate in debates, only 99 had made an attempt to file Bills in the House. Of these, just 15 lawmakers had managed to get Bills published with their name on it.
Still, only 50 MPs filed Motions in the House for debate on issues of concern to their people and to the country. The 200 MPs whose names are missing in the records of lawmakers who filed serious business in the House raises questions on whether it is prudent to have a House of 349 members where the majority are passengers riding on the backs of just 150 of their colleagues to do the thinking and the heavy-lifting.

BEN CARSON CANCELS TRIP TO HIS HOMELAND KENYA

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Ben Carson canceled a trip planned for later this month to Africa that would have taken him to Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia due to what his campaign on Thursday called significant security concerns.
Campaign spokesman Doug Watts confirmed that the trip, scheduled for after the Christmas holiday next week, has been canceled. The campaign did not offer details about the nature of the security concerns.
Carson, who has been criticized by rivals for a lack of foreign policy experience, traveled last month to Jordan to visit a camp for Syrian refugees.
Carson's support among Republican voters has declined in recent weeks, according to opinion polls. The trips abroad were intended to address concerns that he could not handle international diplomacy.

40BILLION KENYA CHINA DEAL WOW!

President Uhuru looks on as National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Chinese Minister for Commerce Gao Hucheng stike adeal

Kenya has inked several mouthwatering bilateral trade agreements and other goodies in grants and loans amounting to over Sh40 billion on the sidelines of the 10th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Nairobi.

The three-day top decision making organ of the organisation, has been going on in Nairobi from Tuesday this week and ended on Friday. It has attracted over 6,000 delegates.

On Wednesday this week President Uhuru Kenyatta witnessed the signing of three agreements in which China will extend Sh15.241 billion support to Kenya.

The agreements were signed by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Chinese Minister for Commerce Gao Hucheng.

They were on a Sh10.358 billion concession loan for the implementation of the national optic fibre backbone infrastructure extension project phase two, Sh4.781 billion grant for the construction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters and a certificate of acceptance for a $1 million (Sh102 million) grant to support Kenya in hosting the World Trade Organisation meeting.

PROTECT WILDLIFE

During the meeting President Kenyatta said Kenya was keen on using the grants and interest-free loans provided by China in the modernisation of health equipment and hospitals across the country as well as construction of stadia for the use by young people.

Mr Gao said in addition to supporting Kenya in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education and health, china was also keen to help protect Kenya’s wildlife.

Separately, Kenya received Sh15 billion support from the Danish government to expand infrastructure and increase efficiency at Mombasa, port.

The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen toured the port and was satisfied that the funding of his government through Trade Mark East Africa Company in the past had a positive impact along the northern corridor.

The “Kenya country programme” will begin in January and is divided into good governance, green growth and employment, and health.

Mr Jensen said governance will receive Sh3.5 billion, green growth and employment Sh7.5 billion and health Sh4 billion.

At the same time, Canada announced a Sh2 billion fund to provide training for the small businesses in Kenya. Canadian Minister of International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland made the announcement on the sidelines of the Ministerial Conference.

“By equipping Kenyan entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, with tools to start and run their businesses, we are bringing about positive change in their homes and communities,” Mr Freeland said.

PROMISE ON COFFEE

Mr Freeland said Canada is contributing Sh1.95 billion ($19.5 million) over seven years, until 2021.

Kenya was also promised continued support by the European Union with regard to its cof

JANET KARAMANA TO FACE DEATH

Janet Karamana, 56, sobbed uncontrollably as the judgment was read at the Court of Appeal. She had appealed a 30-year-sentence handed by the High Court for a crime that she maimed her husband, Moses Gituma, and eventually killed him. Karamana had been found guilty of planning the October 23, 2009, attack that left Gituma, a former senior officer at the Central Bank of Kenya, in a vegetative state until he died on March 2, 2010. High Court Judge Nicholas Ombija convicted six people in the case, but the Court of Appeal released three of them and sent the other three to the gallows. Justices GBM Kariuki, Philomena Mwilu and Fatuma Sichale ruled that the three were the main perpetrators of the crime. Those to face death are Karamana, Clement Munyao and Anthony Mati, whereas Andrew Muuo, Evans Obangi and Peter Maina were given back their freedom because the evidence could not sustain a murder conviction.

RWARAKA MP TOM KAJWANG MAY FACE CHARGES OVER DOUBLE SALARIES

Rwaraka mp Tom kajwang

The EACC has advised abuse of office charges against Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang for allegedly helping a staffer secure two jobs, hence earn two salaries.
This followed an inquiry into whether Kajwang facilitated Evelyn Osogo's employment as research assistant in the constituency office and personal assistant at the Parliamentary Service Commission.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said Osogo should be charged with unlawful acquisition of public property.
Regarding claims of the private ownership of Integrity Centre in Nairobi, where it is headquartered, the commission was of the view that the file should be closed for lack of evidence.
Documents indicate that the EACC is a tenant as Integrity Centre was allegedly sold to new owners for Sh400 million in June 2013 and was in the custody of the Deposit Protection Fund Board.
But documents and records at the Lands ministry say the government valuer placed the value of the building standing on 0.4867 hectares of prime land as Sh450 million.
The EACC also recommended that Isiolo county staff involved In the irregular procurement of works for the ravamp of Baraza park be charged with various criminal offences.
Staff members to be charged include Treasury department head Humphrey Maina, chief warden Abdi Boru, human resource/payroll manager Hadija Halake, works officer Jesse Kariuki and clerks office volunteer Ali Huka.
The others are head of supply chain management head Charles Mungai, Shmsallab construction company directors Abdulahi Abdi and Shamsha Lukuman and Mandera town businessman Shaban Ali.
The EACC also wants the closure of the file on Ludeki Chweya, former permanent secretary in the office of the vice president and the Home Affairs ministry, closed over lack of evidence.
Chweya allegedly embezzled Sh116 million allocated to the construction of prison houses by the Housing ministry.
The DPP acknowledged receipt of the recommendations in a statement to newsrooms on Friday and said directives will be issued following an independent review.

CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION ATTACKED IN MALI

A gunman killed three people outside a Christian radio station in the Malian city of Timbuktu overnight, local officials said on Friday. "Three people, including a radio host from 'Tahanite', the Christian station in Timbuktu, were in front of (the station) when an armed man came to shoot them dead before fleeing," a local government official told AFP. A senior official in the governor's office confirmed a radio presenter was among the victims, as well as "at least one Catholic", pointing the finger at Islamic extremists. "Terrorists who do not want to hear about other religions except Islam are, for me, the perpetrators of this crime," he told AFP. "It is a jihadist attack aimed at dividing Muslims and Catholics but they will never succeed."

A Malian security source described the ambush as "a cowardly murder perpetrated by those who want to start a war of religions". Widely known as "Timbuktu's Christian station", Tahanite -- a private broadcaster which its name from the Tuareg word for "pity" -- produces programmes focused on the Bible and is known for its close ties to the local evangelical Christian mission. During the 2012 occupation of Timbuktu by jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda, the station's Bible-related output was banned. Mali's desert north was overrun by armed Islamists for several months before its main towns and cities were liberated by a French-led military intervention in January 2013. The vast territory around the size of France remains deeply unstable however, with sectarian violence rife and large swathes of land beyond government

MUGABE, IS HE IN LOVE?

When she visited the country last year, Kenyans fell in love with Bulelwa Mkutukana aka Zahara.

The singer’s beauty has now caught Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s eye.

Apparently, when she visited Zimbabwe, a  red carpet was rolled out for her. Mugabe allegedly sent her a welcome note, flowers and champagne on her arrival at Harare Airport.

president robert mugabe  and zahara from south africa

“Zahara is invited to the State House and the president always has a message for her,”  said reps from the company which represents Zahara. 

 “Every time I land there (Zimbabwe), I enjoy it. He gives me a warm welcome. I met him for the first time last year. He even invited me to his office and told me that he loves my song Loliwe,” boasted Zahara.In 2014, Zahara  was invited to Mugabe’s birthday bash and the Zimbabwean president sent his minister to welcome her at the airport.
 Mugabe is known for his funny acts in many occations and this has gone beyond imagination.

FORMER CABINET MINISTER ON FIRE!

Former Cabinet Minister Chris Okemo and ex-Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Managing Director Samuel Gichuru have lost a bid to block extradition proceedings to face corruption related charges in the Island of Jersey Justice Isaac Lenoala said the matter was properly before the magistrate's court and the duo can have their grievances heard and determined by the same court. "This court finds the proceedings before the magistrate's court are not a nullity and they are therefore declared valid," Justice Lenaola said in his judgement. The judge noted that Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko was within the law in instituting the extradition proceedings against Okemo and Gichuru, adding that their rights had not been violated. Okemo and Gichuru are charged with money laundering and using a company based in Jersey Island to sanitise the proceeds accrued from their ventures.

Okemo served as Energy Minister between 1999 to 2001 before he was moved to the Finance docket where he served between 2001 and 2003. Gichuru served as the Managing Director of KPLC between 1983 and 2003. The two wanted their extradition blocked, claiming that there was no legal basis to extradite them to Jersey Island to face money laundering charges. On July 11,2011 the then Nairobi Senior Principal Magistrate Teresia Murugi said the Attorney General’s powers were reduced under the new Constitution, hence the DPP could take over the cases. Okemo and Gichuru moved to court to challenge Tobiko's powers to initiate the extradition proceedings. They said the proceedings were "fatally defective" because the DPP was "constitutionally challenged" to commence trial against the two. Through lawyer Fred Ngatia, the two who are wanted in Jersey for laundering about Sh900 million, argued that only the Attorney General had the power to sanction their extradition.

RAILA:I WILL NOT STAY BACK AND WATCH

CORD LEADER ADDRESSING THE PRESS OVER CORRUPTION

By Peter Mukabi
Opposition leader Raila Odinga Thursday claimed that Deputy President William Ruto was trying to frustrate his campaign against corruption.

He declared that nobody would make him slow down his sustained fight against what he said was pervasive graft in government.

The Cord leader described a Jamhuri Day attack on him by President Uhuru Kenyatta as unwarranted and escapist.

“Ruto touched the wrong number. I am going nowhere and will instead step up the fight against corruption come the New Year,” he said at Kamasengre Primary school in Rusinga Island during a cultural festival.

Mr Ruto has accused the Opposition leader of economic sabotage following his sustained claims that Sh140 billion from the Eurobond was stolen.

Mr Odinga has yet to provide proof of the theft in public.

The government said no money was stolen and has published figures on the Treasury website to back its stand.

Mr Odinga said nobody could scare him with threats of being arrested and thrown into Kamiti Maximum Security Prison.

“I stayed in Kamiti for over eight years. I know all the corners which they themselves don’t know. Let them not scare me with arrest,” he said.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission had told Mr Odinga to go and explain how the money was stolen, but he refused and instead sent a statement, which has not been made public.

Mr Odinga called for quick investigations on the Eurobond saga and demanded action taken against the culprits.

The Eurobond was a Sh289 billion loan floated by the government on the Irish Stock Exchange and which the Opposition claims was not spent well.

“I will not relent until Kenyans are told the truth about the loss of taxpayers’ money. We have also written several letters to the international community to seek the truth about the Eurobond,” he added.

TOILET A PROBLEM IN KENYA!

November 19, 2015 may have passed many people in Kenya without notice of its importance in the global calendar.

This was the World Toilet Day, a date set aside to raise global awareness on the struggle faced by close to 2.5 billion people living without access to proper sanitation.

In Kenya, it is estimated that over eight million people lack proper toilet facilities leading to open defecation.

In Nakuru County, the day was marked in a village in Naivasha known as Maraigushu, where 28 villages were declared open deification-free.

The head of community strategy in the ministry of Health Dr Salim Ali Hussein said despite sanitation being included in the Millennium Development Goals, achieving real gains in sanitation coverage has been slow.

The severe impact of this situation on human health is diarrhoea which kills over 1.5 million children worldwide each year.

Of this number, 88 per cent of the deaths are attributed to faecal contamination from inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene.

"Thus, lack of sanitation continues to be an enormous human health and environmental problem in the developing world," Mr Hussein said.

The theme of this year's toilet day was: ‘Toilets and Health: Better Sanitation for Better Nutrition.’

An Open Defecation-Free certificate. Nakuru is ranked second best out of 47 counties

 

OPEN DEFECATION

More than eight million Kenyans still defecate in the open which results in high prevalence of diseases such as diarrhoea, amoeba, typhoid and cholera.

In Nakuru County, according to the public health officer Samuel King'ori, campaigns would be intensified among people who do not have access to adequate sanitation to achieve the goal by 2018.

The county targets campaigns which would lead to declare rural areas open defecation free by 2018.

Nakuru County celebrated 72 out of 1,690 villages which have now eliminated open defecation free.

Mr King’ori said 30 per cent of Nakuru residents, translating to 360,000 households had no toilets this year.

He said Naivasha Sub-County was leading in meeting sanitation challenges.

Villages which had achieved open-defecation-free status were awarded certificates by the Ministry of Health.

Nakuru is ranked second best out of 47 counties in the country’s sanitation benchmarking by the Ministry of Health with Nyeri leading.

Countrywide statistics indicate that 55 per cent of Kenyans have no access to toilets. Only five per cent of Kenyans wash their hands using soap.

The county, according to a media release by USAID, loses Sh978 million each year as a results of premature deaths, healthcare costs and productivity due to poor sanitation.

WATER POLLUTION

Besides the cost, other effects of poor sanitation provision include water pollution and negative effects on tourism especially when outbreak of diseases threaten the lives of visitors into the county.

A recent cholera outbreak in the county killed 17 people while a total of 5,049 contracted the disease, which is associated with poor hygiene.

According to the USAID report, about 51 percent of children in Nakuru are stunted as a result of poor sanitation in the county.

Poor sanitation and open defecation, USAID says, have been linked to low height for age scores in children.

“Stunted children suffer a higher mortality due to infectious diseases such as diarrhoea, pneumonia and measles as well as being more likely to have poorer cognitive and educational outcomes,” the report adds.

Stakeholders in Nakuru including USAID, UNICEF, Umande Trust, Nakuru Water and Sanitation Company, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), Water and Sanitation Programme, among others, have joint programmes for improving sanitation in the county.

With support from WSUP, the county has developed a sanitation Bill, which proposes a fund for service improvement.